‘New clubs must get youth system’

With institutional teams like Air India and ONGC all set to be scrapped from the next I-League, the AIFF said that priority will be given to those clubs who will be committed to the federation's infrastructure and youth development programmes.

"The fundamental duties should be to support the federation in its youth development programme and invest in infrastructure," AIFF general secretary Kushal Das said. Das made it clear that the two clubs will not be allowed to compete in the league if they don't fulfil the AFC's licensing criteria. Under the licensing criteria, a club has to be a commercial entity. After the interested clubs fulfil the criteria, an auction will be held for bidding.

Regarding ONGC and Air India, Das said,"They have been given enough time. Our primary concern is that the clubs must abide by the licensing criteria, or they will not be eligible to play."

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